The sad reality of summer ending

As the summer months come to an end, it is time for winter planning to start, below is a list of helpful ways to prepare for winter this year. It is sometimes seen as a worry thinking about the winter months, but planning in advance will decrease the feeling of vulnerability and can help us all to stay safe this winter.

One of the most important things to do is to ensure that your heating system is serviced regularly to prevent it breaking and to make sure you are warm and comfortable this winter. Annual checks are very helpful to keep you safe this winter.

Next, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, it is vital to have carbon monoxide alarms fitted in every room if possible. In addition, your smoke alarm should also be working well and to double check on your alarms, the fire service can come do a free home fire safety check.

When dealing with ice in the winter, it can be tricky as it may be hard to see. A top tip is to keep some sand handy to spread on your doorsteps and paths to help make it less slippery.

Lastly, to ensure you are always able to call for help, keep your phone charged so that you have a way of communicating. If there is a power cut, you can call 105 for free and they can help you with any problems you have.

Remember, planning for the winter does not at all take away your independence, it only intensifies it making sure you can do whatever you want this winter